POLI3002
10 units
3000 level
Course handbook
Description
Power and the State provides students with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the relationship between power, politics and the state. These three terms make up much of what we understand as the substance of contemporary politics and the course seeks to apply each to a wide range of real world contexts. The way in which political power manifests itself in multiple ways, and the way in which the state must deal with multiple challenges to its authority, both at a national and international level, will be discussed in detail. The role of political leadership in directing the state, and enabling it to achieve its political objectives will also be considered. Finally, the question of whether the state still retains a political relevance in an increasingly globalised world will also be discussed.
Availability2024 Course Timetables
Newcastle City Precinct
- Semester 2 - 2024
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Investigate and debate contemporary issues in political science.
2. Recognise and apply the conceptual frameworks and language of political science
3. Define and distinguish between conflict and consensus and discuss the relationship between the state and power as they apply in a wide variety of real world contexts.
4. Demonstrate skills in critical analysis using examples that draw on state institutions and power as they apply in a wide variety of real world contexts.
5. Demonstrate advanced skills in presenting written arguments
6. Demonstrate highly developed research skills in evaluating and synthesizing information from diverse sources.
Content
This course may include but is not limited to the following topics:
- the role of state organizations
- political leadership in the exercise of political power
- the way in which the state is a site of contestation between competing groups in society
- the state in an international context
- the role of the media and e-democracy both as an instrument of state power and as a means to hold state power politically accountable
- the role of wider social movements in relation to the state as well as wider problems of globalisation and governance.
- the state’s mobilisation of power
- processes of state accountability
- the role of class, gender, ethnicity and citizenship in each of these processes of state power and state accountability.
Requisite
Students must have successfully completed POLI1010 OR POLI1020.
Assumed knowledge
Students must have successfully completed 50 units including POLI1010 Australian Politics and Government, POLI1020 Introduction to Politics, POLI2001 Ideas in Political Science
Assessment items
Tutorial / Laboratory Exercises: Weekly Semester Working Group Activities
Written Assignment: Written Assignment 1 Research Skills Assignment
Project: Cabinet Submission
Contact hours
Semester 2 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct
Integrated Learning Session-1
- Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 13 week(s) starting in week 1
- Students are expected to complete 4 hours of guided learning via online preparation, lectures, interactive workshops, tutorials, discussion groups or self-directed learning and an additional 6 hours of independent study per week.
Course outline
Course outline not yet available.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.